The National Assembly (Khmer: រដ្ឋសភា, UNGEGN: Roatsaphea [rɔət.sapʰiə]; lit. 'State Assembly') is one of the two houses (chambers) of the Parliament of Cambodia. It is referred to as the lower house, with the Senate being referred to as the upper house.
National Assembly រដ្ឋសភា Roatsaphea | |
|---|---|
| 7th National Assembly | |
_emblem.png) | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Established | 14 June 1993 |
New session started | 21 August 2023 |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 125 |
 | |
Political groups | Government (120)
Confidence and supply (5)
|
Length of term | Five years |
| Elections | |
| Closed list proportional representation | |
First election | 23 & 28 May 1993 |
Last election | 23 July 2023 |
Next election | 23 or 30 July 2028 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Website | |
| national-assembly | |
The National Assembly is an elected body consisting of 125 members known as Members of Parliament (MPs). Members are elected for five-year terms by party-list proportional representation, using provinces as constituencies of 1 to 18 members, and the D'Hondt method of seat distribution. A political party must secure 63 seats to obtain and preserve a majority.
The National Assembly is headed by the President, currently Khuon Sodary. The seventh National Assembly held its inaugural session on 21 August 2023.
History
edit
The current National Assembly originated as the Constituent Assembly, a legislative body elected during the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). After the 1993 election, the Assembly met and adopted a new constitution for Cambodia. After enactment of the 1993 Constitution, the Constituent Assembly was renamed the National Assembly.
- Cambodia held its first elections in history on 1 September 1946. The Democrats won a majority of seats in the legislature.
- Cambodia was proclaimed a constitutional monarchy on 6 May 1947.
Electoral System
editThe Constitution of Cambodia states the National Assembly are elected 5 year terms from 25 multi-member constituencies based on the provinces by closed list proportional representation. Seats were allocated using the D'Hondt method and elections are to happen on the fourth Sunday of July.[1]
| Province | Seats |
|---|---|
| Banteay Meanchey | 6 |
| Battambang | 8 |
| Kampong Cham | 10 |
| Kampong Chhnang | 4 |
| Kampong Speu | 6 |
| Kampong Thom | 6 |
| Kampot | 6 |
| Kandal | 11 |
| Koh Kong | 1 |
| Kratié | 3 |
| Mondulkiri | 1 |
| Phnom Penh | 12 |
| Preah Vihear | 1 |
| Prey Veng | 11 |
| Pursat | 4 |
| Ratanakiri | 1 |
| Siem Reap | 6 |
| Preah Sihanouk | 3 |
| Stung Treng | 1 |
| Svay Rieng | 5 |
| Takéo | 9 |
| Oddar Meanchey | 1 |
| Kep | 1 |
| Pailin | 1 |
| Tboung Khmum | 8 |
| Total | 125 |
Qualification
editThe qualifications to be a candidate for the National Assembly are outlined in Article 76 of the 1993 Constitution.
- The candidate must be a citizen of Cambodia by birth only.
- The citizen must be at the age of twenty-five or older on Election Day.
- The candidate must be on the electoral register.
Power and privileges
editLaw Adoption
- Adopt and Amend laws for Cambodia and approve the national budget and administration accounts. (Article 90)
- Approve or repeal international treaties and conventions. (Article 90)
- Initiate legislation. (Article 91)
Vote of confidence
- Shall pass a vote of confidence in the Royal Government. (Article 90)
- Dismiss any members of the Council of Ministers, or the Royal Government, by a motion of censure passed by an absolute majority vote of all Members of the National Assembly. (Article 98)
Oversight
- Shall have the right to propose questions to the Royal Government. The replies by the ministers or by the Prime Minister may be given orally or in writing. The replies shall be provided within seven days after the day the question is received. (Article 96)
- Oversee royal government performance and invite high-ranking officials to clarify important special issues to the National Assembly. (Article 89)
- The commissions of the National Assembly may invite any minister to clarify issues in fields under his/her responsibility. (Article 97)
- Oversee the law enforcement.
Representative
- The Members of the National Assembly shall represent all the Khmer people, not only citizens from their constituencies. (Article 77)
- Play an important role in helping citizens have their voice in society and to bring people’s concern and needs for decisions to the National Assembly.
- Intervene and solve problems faced by citizens.
- Member of Parliament have the right to express opinions in the exercise of his/her duties protected by “Parliamentary Immunity” and shall not be prosecuted, detained or arrested because of opinions expressed in the exercise of his/her duties, except in case of flagrante delicto offences. (Article 80)
Commissions
edit| Commission[2][3][4] | Chairperson |
|---|---|
| Commission on Human Rights, Complaints, and Investigation | Hon. Mr. Sar Chamrong |
| Commission on Economics, Finance, Banking and Auditing | Hon. Mr. Chheang Vun |
| Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, and Water Resources | Hon. Mr.Loy Sophat |
| Commission on Interior, National Defense, Civil Service, and Border Affairs | Hon. Mr. Kep Chuktema |
| Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Information | Hon. Mr. Suos Yara |
| Commission on Legislation and Justice | Hon. Mr. Ang Vong Vathana |
| Commission on Education, Youth, Sport, Cult, Religion, Culture, Fine Arts, and Tourism | Hon. Mr. Pa Socheatevong |
| Commission on Health, Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Labour, Vocational Training and Women’s Affairs | Hon. Mrs. Lork Kheng |
| Commission of Public Works, Transport, Civil Aviation, Post, Telecommunications, Industry, Science, Technology, Innovation, Mines, Energy, Commerce, Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction | Hon. Mrs. Nin Saphon |
| Commission on Investigation, Clearance and Anti-Corruption | Hon. Mr. Pen Simorn |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ FUNCINPEC stated their support for the Government
References
edit- ^ "IPU PARLINE database: CAMBODIA (Radhsphea Ney Preah Recheanachakr Kampuchea), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
- ^ "Parliament issues list of components in fifth legislature". 2013-09-24. Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
- ^ Khy, Sovuthy (August 9, 2014). "Assembly Rules Amended In First Bipartisan Sitting". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ "Line-up of Members of 7th Legislature of National Assembly". cpp.org.kh. Retrieved 2024-10-03.